Buttered Salsify

This parsnip-shaped root vegetable is also known as «oyster plant» because its taste resembles a delicately flavoured oyster. The more flavourful type of salsify [sal-sih-fee] has white flesh with a black skin that stains one's hands during cleaning (hence its botanical name « scorzonera» i.e. black skin). Fortunately, canned salsify is now easily available in most supermarkets.